Chicago Tribune’s Maureen Ryan spoke with Mike Baker, a former cover field-operations officer that worked for the CIA for 14 years before becoming the CEO of Veritas Global, a security and risk-management firm. Here’s his take on what’s real and what’s not when it comes to 24:

What’s his deal? Bauer tracks and hunts bad guys over the course of a single season-long, very bad day.

What’s real: Though Bauer’s 24-hour bad days are at the extreme end of the spectrum, Baker says secret agent work “can be non-stop if you’re out in the field, depending on what you’re involved in.”

As for an agent’s family being put at risk (Bauer’s wife was shot by a bad guy in Season 1, and at other times other loved ones have been at risk), Baker says the danger to families isn’t usually very great, but it does exist — so it’s common for undercover types to not tell the neighbors what they really do for a living.

What’s not so real: Jack’s known for his rule-breaking ways, but spy agencies and anti-terrorist squads “are not lawbreaking organizations, despite what some conspiracy theorists want you to believe,” Baker says.

The least believable thing about “24”? The shocking lack of paperwork. “An independent operator like Jack would get beaten over the head with boxes of forms in triplicate,” Baker says. “I’ve never seen the guy do an expense report!”

Related Posts

(CNN) — Dennis Hopper, the one-time Hollywood enfant terrible who portrayed such indelible characters as “Easy Rider’s” biker Billy and “Blue Velvet’s” and huffing villain Frank Booth, died of prostate cancer Saturday morning at his home in Venice, California, his wife said. He was 74. Hopper, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer last October, was… View Article

Well that was fast. The official 24 website has been taken down on August, 24th – precisely three months after the series finale aired on television. There hasn’t even been any kind of “thank you for the support” message to 24 fans, the site was just deleted and all that’s left is a 404 “page… View Article

Watching the best television show of all time and potentially getting paid thousands of dollars for doing so? It doesn’t get any better than this, folks. 24 cast members will be there too if you needed any more incentive. CTU is recruiting the most die-hard “24” fans! To celebrate the DVD release of “24” The… View Article

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to voice their opinion as long as it adds constructively to the conversation. Please be respectful of other people's viewpoints even if you personally disagree.

We do not tolerate intentional attempts to hijack, derail, or bait others into an emotional response. Failure to comply with these rules will result in a warning and repeat offenders may be permanently banned.